Streamlight Inc. is well-known in the law enforcement community for producing outstanding illumination tools. When I came into law enforcement the metal MagLite flashlights had already been replaced with plastic Streamlight SL series rechargeable flashlights (didn’t the brass know that would just mean more broken flashlights!).
This year at SHOT Show the company launched the rechargeable Stinger HPL and Strion HPL (High Performance Lumen) lights. These are new high lumen, long-range lights with an ultra-bright hotspot for illuminating a broader area on targets. The Stinger HPL is also available in a dual switch model, the Stinger DS HPL.
Streamlight Stinger and Strion flashlights were already very popular selections, having a wide use among law enforcement officers. Even with their compact design the flashlights were still able to produce powerful beams of light. These lights are small enough to be easily manipulated in any officer’s hand, yet large enough not to interfere with a secure grip or functioning the light during different conditions.
The compact Stinger and Strion HPLs are designed for room clearing, search operations, and other maneuvers under low-light conditions. Though smaller than the typical patrol light either the Stinger or Strion could be used as an alternative for car stops or area searches normally conducted with larger lights.
For example, other downrange beam patterns might illuminate a target’s head and shoulders, but the HPL beam lights up the target’s entire upper torso at a distance, providing a clear tactical advantage.”
The Stinger HPL and the Strion HPL both feature a multi-function, push-button switch for one-handed operation of the light’s momentary, variable intensity or strobe modes. The Stinger DS HPL includes a second, easy access, push-button tactical tail switch button that is independently operated.
I’m a huge proponent of the tail switch button as it allows a much more versatile approach to low light searches with the officer’s weapon drawn. I’ve trained extensively in low-light engagements during both training and force-on-force scenarios, and I’ve used that training countless times in real-life patrol and S.W.A.T. situations with great success. Trying to hold a flashlight like the first picture above, severely limits the officer from performing a number of low light techniques.
Streamlight Stinger HPL Rechargeable Flashlight
- Material – Type 6000 aircraft-grade aluminum with anodized finish
- Length – 5.90″
- Width – 1.25″
- Weight – 5.2 oz.
- Light technology -C4® LED; deep-dish parabolic reflector
- Long-range targeting beam – 438 meters (high); 219 meters (low)
- Illumination – 740 lumens, 48,000 candela (high); 190 lumens, 12,000 candela (low)
- Lighting modes – High, medium, low, and strobe
- Power – Rechargeable 3.6 volt NiMH sub-C battery (up to 1000 times)
- Run time – 1.25 hours (high); 4.5 hours (low)
- Water resistance – 3 meters, IPX4 rated
- Drop resistance – 2 meters
- Warranty – Limited lifetime
- MSRP – $150.00 – $259.00 depending on accessory options.
The new Streamlight HPL flashlights offer three microprocessor-controlled, variable intensity modes – high, medium, low, and the ever-increasingly important strobe function. The Stinger models feature 740 lumens and 48,000 candela on the high setting, with a one-hour and 15-minute run time and a beam distance of 438 meters. On low, the lights feature 190 lumens, 12,000 candela, a run time of 4 hours and 30 minutes and a 219-meter beam distance.
Streamlight Strion HPL Rechargeable Flashlight
- Material – Type 6000 aircraft-grade aluminum with anodized finish
- Length – 7.0″
- Width – Approximately 1.0″
- Weight – 7.1 oz.
- Light technology -C4® LED; deep-dish parabolic reflector
- Long-range targeting beam – 400 meters (high); 200 meters (low)
- Illumination – 615 lumens, 48,000 candela (high); 190 lumens, 12,000 candela (low)
- Lighting modes – High, medium, low, and strobe
- Power – Rechargeable Lithium ion battery (up to 1000 times), recharges in 3 hours
- Run time – 1.25 hours (high); 4.5 hours (low)
- Water resistance – 3 meters, IPX4 rated
- Drop resistance – 2 meters
- Serialized for positive identification
- Warranty – Limited lifetime
- MSRP – $150.00 – $259.00 depending on accessory options.
The new Strion HPL also offers three microprocessor-controlled, variable intensity modes – high, medium, low, and the all-too important strobe function. The enlarged bezel assists with light direction and intensity, and should not be a carrying problem as long as the Strion is carried with the tail down.
On high, the Strion HPL delivers 615 lumens and 40,000 candela, with a one-hour run time and a 400-meter beam distance. On low, it offers 160 lumens, 10,000 candela, a run time of 3 hours and 45 minutes and a beam distance of 200 meters.
The Strion HPL is powered by a lithium-ion battery that is rechargeable up to 1,000 times. All the new lights fit existing model chargers.
Proper Use of Strobes
The strobe function on a flashlight is often misunderstood and worse misused. Fast flashing strobing functions on flashlights have only been brought to the market in the last decade or so. The strobe is an incredibly important feature to successful low light operations.
Some officers look at the strobe as a gimmick or party pleaser to screw with fellow officers. However, the strobe, when used properly, is a strong life-saving tool.
The strobe function should be used when searching unknown areas. The strobing function prohibits suspects from zeroing in on an officer’s location, because the light pattern is too fast for the human mind to properly focus and analyze. The strobe function is a perfect tool to “paint with light”, a technique that allows the officer to illuminate the unknown while making the light pattern too random to track.
Strobing can be used as cover for movements, especially when moving across fatal funnels or potential deep threats. The light produced still provides the officer enough information to move (even if not pointed in the same direction), but hides the officer behind a dazzling array of light.
When a known threat is located, officers should switch to a full-on light technique for positive identification of threat and target. This is the best method for acquiring a target and shooting accurately in low light conditions.
In some situations using the strobe to advance on a subject may provide the best ability to advance while still creating confusion due to the strobing effect. This could be in situations where an unknown subject is confronted, and no immediate threat is identified.